Rod Bearing Clearance

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Suzuki Vitara. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Before checking bearing clearance, clean bearing and crank pin.
Install bearing in connecting rod and bearing cap.
Place a piece of gaging plastic (1) to full width of crank pin as contacted by bearing (parallel to crankshaft), avoiding oil hole.

Fig 1: Identifying Gaging Plastic Placement Position
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Install rod bearing cap to connecting rod.
When installing cap, be sure to point arrow mark (1) on cap to crankshaft pulley side, as shown in the figure. After applying engine oil to rod bolts, tighten cap nuts to specified torque.

NOTE: DO NOT turn crankshaft with gaging plastic installed.

Tightening torque
1. Connecting rod bearing cap nut (a): 45 N-m (4.5 kg-m, 33.0 lb-ft)
Fig 2: Identifying Connecting Rod Bearing Cap Arrow Mark & Connecting Rod Bearing Cap Nut
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove cap and using a scale (2) on gaging plastic (1) envelope, measure gaging plastic (1) width at the widest point (clearance).
If clearance exceeds its limit, use a new standard size bearing and remeasure clearance.

Connecting rod bearing clearance
1. Standard: 0.039-0.057 mm (0.0016-0.0022 in.)
2. Limit: 0.08 mm (0.0031 in.)
Fig 3: Measuring Gaging Plastic Width
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
If clearance can not be brought to within its limit even by using a new standard size bearing, replace crankshaft or regrind crankpin to undersize as follows.
- Install 0.25 mm undersize bearing to connecting rod big end.
- Measure bore diameter of connecting finished rod big end.
- Regrind crankpin to the following finished diameter:
  1. Finished crank pin diameter = Measured big end bore diameter (including undersize bearing) - 0.048 mm (0.0018 in.)
- Confirm that bearing clearance is within above standard value.